Inspirational mum’s incredible feat
TARA IS TAKING ON AN INCREDIBLE CHALLENGE TO HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR SPECIALIST HOLIDAY HOME
AN inspirational South Tyneside mum with cerebral palsy is to stand for the first time in two decades to help raise vital funds to create a holiday complex for disabled people.
Tara Johnson is taking on the challenge of standing from her wheelchair for 21 hours over five days next week.
The 39-year-old is the founder and owner of Whitburn-based Tailored Leisure Company (TLC) which provides leisure services for people with physical limitations.
A recent poll of 2,000 people by the social enterprise revealed 62% had never been on a short-break holiday.
It has sparked Tara to raise awareness of the lack of leisure activities and facilities available to people with disabilities across the region.
The company is currently raising £1.5 million through various fundraising drives and funding applications to create a one-of-a-kind holiday complex in the region called Butterfly of the North.
And after a turbulent year, Tara has been motivated to embark on one of her biggest challenges yet for the cause.
The mum-of-two is undergoing an intense programme with personal trainer Mark Beckham and following a meal plan to get fitter and stronger for what lies ahead.
She said: “The unprecedented Covid 19 situation has left many people both mentally and physically isolated.
“The second lockdown started to take its toll on me. My children were finding things difficult, and we all needed a goal that would see me take on my biggest challenge but also help the fundraising project.
“I wanted to get fitter, stronger and show my children anything is possible even with barriers.
“Training has been far from easy with sore legs, only managing six minutes in my standing frame during the first week of standing training to now managing one hour.
“As we start to return to normality later, lack of access is still an issue for many and this situation has been escalated even more, the impact and need is greater than ever.” Tara, who is also an engagement officer for Healthwatch South Tyneside, will begin the challenge on Monday, March 8.
During her final hour on March 12 at 6pm, she will be joined by family, service users and key partners on a Zoom call to show their support. Among those are Aukestra, a Gateshead band for musicians with learning difficulties, who have recorded a new song called ‘Butterfly a place to call my own,’ which was developed from a poem written by a TLC user.
Hebburn-based Deborah Taylor-Smith will also bring her ‘Wor Vera’ vintage singing act to spur Tara on for the final stretch.
A JustGiving page has raised almost £2,000 so far, and Tara has thanked everyone for their support.
She said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to my team, my friends, family and Coach Becks (Mark) for believing and showing me that anything is possible if you build one brick at a time.”
Kim Hunter, business and community development officer at the brain injury association Headway Wearside, said the leisure complex would be “fantastic” for the North East.
“It is essential for acquired brain injury survivors to connect and have time out with family, friends and carers in an accessible leisure and holiday complex,” she said. “Just like everyone else holidays and weekends away are fun, exciting and challenging but sometimes a little more support and thought is needed.
“To have a complex in the local area such as Butterfly of the North East that members of Headway Wearside could access will be fantastic. Having access to everything on site such as accessible chalets, swimming pool, and social areas and a separate space for carers is long overdue.”
To donate, go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tailoredleisure
I wanted to get fitter, stronger and show my children anything is possible even with barriers Tara Johnson